Non-invasive vagal nerve stimulation to treat disorders
US8918178B2 · kind B2 · utility
79Cited by
8References
28Claims
0Family size
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Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 5, 2012 |
| Grant date | Dec 23, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 20, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N2/02
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for treating a variety of diseases and disorders that are primarily or at least partially driven by an imbalance in neurotransmitters in the brain, such as asthma, COPD, depression, anxiety, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, and the like. The invention involves the use of an energy source comprising magnetic and/or electrical energy that is transmitted non-invasively to, or in close proximity to, a selected nerve to temporarily stimulate, block and/or modulate the signals in the selected nerve such that neural pathways are activated to release inhibitory neurotransmitters in the patient's brain.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.